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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

12+4 and no scan date in sight. aibu

65 replies

Toastedsesame · 27/04/2021 14:08

Its my second pregnancy, my midwife booking appointment wasn't until 11+3. The hospital have my referral / paperwork but there just isn't physically space for the amount of 12 week scans they need to book in at the moment. I was told the antenatal dept is on its knees and my paperwork is currently in a pile on the managers desk waiting to be assigned a scan date / fitted in. I was told to call back in 2 days.

I'll be basically 13 weeks by then. I'm nervous as hell and the anxiety is keeping me up at night. I'm desperate to get all the screening done that needs to be done in this time.

I don't know what to do except sit around and wait for Thursday, when I'll likely be told the same thing and asked to call back.

Does anyone know how I take this further? I hate having to fight for basic care.

OP posts:
LakeShoreD · 27/04/2021 14:17

That’s appalling but rather than run the risk of running out of time for the combined test which can’t be done after 14 weeks, I’d go private and get the NIPT if you can afford it. I’d also seriously consider switching hospitals because they sound shit and totally incapable of providing basic care.

Original poster
Toastedsesame · 27/04/2021 14:20

@LakeShoreD I looked into it, but we really can't afford it. We already paid for a private 8 week scan and we are still recovering. I would have saved my money if I realised this was all happening. Do you think I should try and switch hospitals? There is another but it is further away by about 20mins.

OP posts:
FireUnderpants · 27/04/2021 14:28

Absolutely find out what the wait is like at the other hospital..... In a few months all these people waiting for scans will be fighting for space in the delivery room.

My sister had the same issue, when she was in labour she was left in limbo as there was nowhere to move her from prenatal.

Hyppogriff · 27/04/2021 14:34

Mmmmmm I would be calling and calling until they found me an appointment

Zebraaa · 27/04/2021 14:37

Well, what did you expect getting pregnant during a pandemic. The amount of times I’ve read on here “it’s a great time to have a baby!”
Yet berating others to follow covid rules, stay home, protect the NHS 🙄
ALL NHS services are affected. ALL staff are on their knees.

Original poster
Toastedsesame · 27/04/2021 14:39

@Hyppogriff I know, but I am probably low-risk compared to some and I don't believe I need to be put above others but it obviously needs doing soon - I am getting really anxious about it. I am tempted to call again tomorrow morning and ask some more questions about what is going on.

OP posts:
8dpwoah · 27/04/2021 14:39

Contact PALs- you're entitled to be offered the screening measurements by (14 weeks? I forget). That's the official guidance. I'll try to find it, I had to use it when they called me too early then weren't going to bother having me back despite their admin error. PALs had it sorted within five hours!!

I know they are under pressure but that's not your fault and the protocols exist for very good reason. I've been very disappointed by my maternity care experience this time so far if I'm honest and it's the admin that's been the issue at every stage.

Original poster
Toastedsesame · 27/04/2021 14:39

@Zebraaa I expected VITAL care to be upheld? A lot to ask I know...

OP posts:
Readeatcake · 27/04/2021 14:41

Not everyone can delay having a baby for 5 plus years until the pandemic is fully over/no more strain on the NHS.
What a pointless comment.

turnthebiglightoff · 27/04/2021 14:46

My DS was born pre pandemic and my 12 week scan was at 14 weeks. There just were not any appointments available when I needed one. I chose not to have a private scan and wait for the NHS one instead. I had had an EPU trans a final scan at 6 weeks as had some bleeding so I had a little more sense of ease.

8dpwoah · 27/04/2021 14:47
  1. The optimal time to perform the
combined test is between 11+2 weeks to 14+1 weeks of gestation, which corresponds to a CRL of 45.0 mm to 84.0 mm.

That's from the NHS FASP Programme Handbook p13 should you (or anyone else seeing this) wish to refer to it.

8dpwoah · 27/04/2021 14:49

It says if the CRL is over 84.0mm you have to then be offered the quad test, which only tests for Downs. They called me at 11+0 (by dates, which turned out to be correct) and CRL was too small so they had to have me back under the 'twice on the couch' idea. That admin error meant a wasted appointment that somebody further along could have had. That's not covid, that's just poor practice.

Original poster
Toastedsesame · 27/04/2021 14:49

@8dpwoah Thank you. I am also pretty sure I am 1-2 days ahead of what the midwife worked out, as at my private scan she said I was measuring a day ahead.

OP posts:
Sleepyquest · 27/04/2021 14:52

Oh be quiet @Zebraaa . Not everybody is happy to put their lives on hold for years and the OP still deserves care for her and her baby regardless.

8dpwoah · 27/04/2021 14:53

I was going to say I'd give them til Thursday but actually I'm not sure that I would- emailing PALS made them magic up an appointment the following week for me so they can't have been overrun. To add insult to injury I was the only bugger there!

Original poster
Toastedsesame · 27/04/2021 14:55

@8dpwoah I've just sent them an email. I literally haven't stopped thinking and stressing about this all day.

Thanks for all the support.

OP posts:
Rmka · 27/04/2021 15:00

So sorry for you. I'd try with the other hospital, maybe they're managing better? I had my scan booked as soon as I contacted the hospital at 6 weeks.
Try not to worry though, it's good you had the first scan and most probably everything is fine. Though I know it's easier said that done.

nolitetebastardescarborundo · 27/04/2021 15:01

I'm now 34 weeks, but unfortunately had the same throughout pregnancy. My '12 week' scan was at 13+6 (and my scans were measuring a week ahead. IVF pregnancy so we knew the exact conception date however). I think my booking appointment was at 10+5 or something like that. My 20 week was at 21 weeks, and midwife appointments were phone call only for the first few. It's a very stressful time to be pregnant. Keep pushing through and advocating for yourself, sorry you're feeling stressed out by it. Also ignore the person trying make people feel bad about getting pregnant during a pandemic. It's a pointless thing to say when you know nothing of other people's circumstances.

minniemomo · 27/04/2021 15:04

I know you are worrying but we never used to have a scan (the only one) until 18 weeks and it was fine. As long as you have had your bloods down I wouldn't worry too much about an extra week or two

Original poster
Toastedsesame · 27/04/2021 15:07

@nolitetebastardescarborundo I'm sorry to hear you had trouble too, you must be excited to meet little one soon! Thank you for your kind words and advice. I will keep pushing for sure.

OP posts:
titchy · 27/04/2021 15:09

@minniemomo

I know you are worrying but we never used to have a scan (the only one) until 18 weeks and it was fine. As long as you have had your bloods down I wouldn't worry too much about an extra week or two
How long ago was that?! I had a 12 week scan 25 years ago!
User65412 · 27/04/2021 15:23

The guidance is to have the scan by 14+1 in order to do all relevant checks. I didn't receive my letter until 13 weeks and had it at 14 weeks. It doesn't help that it's commonly called the '12 week scan' or '20 week scan' I don't think when actually there's a window in which they can happen. Try to not worry - I haven't heard of anyone not getting it by 14 weeks but that's just my experience. I totally understand how you feel though - I felt they were cutting it fine but they were within the guidelines and it's quite standard practice!

SmokedDuck · 27/04/2021 15:25

Scans during pregnancy aren't vital, statistically they don't really even improve outcomes significantly.

So they may not be considered priority in low risk pregnancies in the way that you are thinking.

SmokedDuck · 27/04/2021 15:26

Oh, and measuring a day or two, or even a week, ahead should not be a huge issue. It isn't like babies are meant to arrive at exactly the due date!

User65412 · 27/04/2021 15:28

The NHS website explains what appointments to expect when.
Booking appt between 8 and 12
Dating scan between 8 and 14
Anomaly between 18 and 21.
All the other appointments are on there as well 😊
Hopefully you'll get yours soon but please try not to worry - it's completely normal and safe to have them within these time frames.

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